ABC offers tasty alphabet soup of dishes
With over 100 Western and Vietnamese meals on the menu, ABC Fast Food has something for everyone. And while the surroundings wont leave you in awe, the prices will, says Jessica Gray.
There are few restaurants I frequent here in Ha Noi, but ABC Fast Food is one of them.
With over 100 western and Vietnamese dishes, there always something new to eat at a reasonable price to boot.
To start, I recommend trying the fried spring rolls. The crispy, bite-sized treats are an ABC speciality. I guarantee youll be wanting more as soon as theyre gone, a phenomena that usually happens in about five minutes.
The only drawback is that the cooks often dont care how hot the rolls are when they come out of the fryer for take-out orders. Sometimes youll get a styrofoam container with melted corners, which I assume isnt a good thing for your health.
The congee is another good idea if youre looking for Asian starter at the right price. This dish is a perfect to share with friends because it comes in a bowl that could swallow the world. The spicy soy sauce, full of tiny red and orange peppers as is custom in Viet Nam, gives a little kick to what some consider a rather plain dish.
ABC is also the place I visit when I feel the need for French fries. Unlike many restaurants that claim they know what Western food is all about, ABC delivers this North American and European staple in a heaping stack on your plate.
Healthier appetizers are the bamboo and pumpkin shoots. Both are quite tasty and full of nutrients moms are always going on about everywhere in the world. Well, at least my mom.
The best part is all of the above costs VND20,000 or less.
No wonder the place gets so busy! But dont let the small dining area on the ground floor fool you. There a second, larger room upstairs when it gets too crowded.
I admit the cafeteria style benches and tables, not to mention the sterile white paint on the walls, are nothing to write home about, however, the grub more than makes up for it.
Now back to the food!
A popular dish you might consider is the potato salad with its massive amounts of mayonnaise. I havent tasted it myself, but every time I visit, someone tucking into this salad of sorts.
Most entrees come with a broth-based soup, which changes at the whim of ABC cooks, and steamed rice. What I like most about the rice is the red spices served on the side that make the it much more interesting on the palate.
My favourite meal to order has to be the sweet and sour pork. Tender stripes of breaded pork are literally coated with a sauce that makes me salivate just thinking about it. The dish is accompanied by spicy cabbage and green beans, making up for the deep fried pork.
For sandwich lovers, the chicken club with fries is a tasty choice because, in all seriousness, the sandwich is larger-than-life. Unless, of course, you order it for take-out. But I suppose they only have so much room in a single container.
My roommate favourite entree is the lemon chilli beef stir fry. It a hearty meal for pepper-lovers and anyone looking to avoid fatty foods.
Now to the meals that didnt make the cut for this review. They include the grilled fish and ABC fried noodles dishes.
The fish filets are often over-grilled and not particularly savoury. They are also filled with tiny, and some not so tiny, bones making it a difficult dinner to enjoy fully.
For noodle connoisseurs like myself, ABC is a bit disappointing. Many of the fried noodles meals on the menu are plain and full of cabbage or lettuce. Perhaps ABC should try putting noodles in soup, instead?
This restaurant is just what the doctor ordered for people in a rush. I doubt Ive ever had to wait more than five minutes before my starters are ready, let alone my main course.
So make sure you give ABC a try next time youre wandering on Hang Bai St, just below Tran Hung Dao St. It well worth the stop!
ABC Fast Food
Address: 53A Hang Bai Street
Hours: 7am - 10pm
Phone: 04-9439 639
Comment: Bring me more spring rolls!
Source VNS